Clear braces have become a popular option for those looking to make improvements to their smile.
These discrete alternatives to traditional metal braces can help correct the same types of issues, including gapping, crowding, and bite correction. There are numerous types of clear braces available including, ceramic braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners among the more popular ones.
Each of these solutions differs in terms of comfort, cost, and length of treatment time, so it is important to do thorough research beforehand to decide which type works best for your individual needs.
In this article, we’ll provide helpful information about these three types of clear braces so you can make an informed decision about your oral health care.
Ceramic Braces
Clear or ceramic braces are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces.
Using an advanced composite material, the braces are virtually unnoticeable and designed to fit your teeth. Each brace is created from computer scans of your teeth by dental professionals to ensure the most comfortable and effective treatment plan for you. The process incorporates smaller brackets than those of typical metal braces, which makes them more efficient and lightweight as well. Additionally, clear braces help minimize the discomfort that can sometimes be associated with metal braces.
Generally, most people find clear or ceramic braces are less uncomfortable overall compared to their metal counterparts. However, since they are made out of a more fragile material they do require extra maintenance and care to stay in proper condition. Due to this increased need for upkeep, you must visit your orthodontist regularly for adjustments throughout treatment.
Clear braces can be used as a solution to many bite problems including overbite, underbite, and crossbite, as well as crowding or gaps between teeth.
Lingual Braces
Lingual or incognito braces are becoming increasingly popular in orthodontic treatment over traditional braces.
They work in the same way as regular braces by moving teeth into a desired place and position but with lingual braces, the brackets and strong alloy wires are placed on the tongue-side of your teeth for a discrete look which is great for adults or teenagers who don’t want their orthodontic treatment to be obvious.
As lingual braces are designed to attach to the back of your teeth they can offer several advantages over traditional external braces, such as reduced levels of discomfort and faster tooth movement. However, despite these advantages, they may also present some cons such as additional cleaning requirements after meals due to food particles getting stuck underneath them as well as potentially more expensive treatments depending on where you decide to go for treatment.
Lingual braces can solve a variety of issues such as spacing problems, overcrowding, crossbites, and open bites. They can also be used for presurgical orthodontics which helps prepare a patient for jaw realignment procedures in cases where serious malocclusions have formed.
Although lingual braces do come with some potential cons like slightly longer adjustment periods compared to other types of treatments, they are overall great options for aesthetically achieving healthy results, both providing improved dental health and enhanced appeal in the process.
See our Incognito Braces vs Invisalign comparison.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are one of the newest, most effective tooth alignment devices available. They can be an excellent alternative to traditional treatments like metal braces, offering a discreet solution to bad bites and crooked teeth.
Clear aligners work by using pressure from a thin, customized plastic device that fits snugly over your teeth. Every couple of weeks, you switch out your aligner for the next one in the series that gradually shifts your teeth into place.
The major benefit of clear aligners is their discretion; they are virtually invisible compared to traditional methods of orthodontic treatment, but still just as effective. Clear aligners are also removable which makes it easier to eat and drink whilst being treated and makes teeth cleaning easier than wearing fixed braces. Aligners can also be ordered directly to your home without the need for orthodontist appointments throughout the treatment which saves on time and cost.
Although clear aligners come with many advantages, they are not always suitable for all cases and are best suited to patients that have mild teeth straightening requirements.
Generally speaking, they help with closing gaps between teeth, correcting a mild overbite or misaligned bite, and helping to straighten slightly crooked and crowded teeth. If you have more complex problems with your bite or occlusion, then other treatments might be necessary.
Ultimately, clear aligners offer a great way to achieve straighter teeth with aesthetically pleasing treatment.
Here are some of the best invisible aligners that you can choose from with reviews:
NewSmile Review – This is a low-cost option but it comes with premium aesthetics ensuring long-lasting comfort and usability. It also comes with a free retainer and teeth whitening kit.
SmileDirectClub Review – The most popular clear aligner product comes with a lifetime guarantee and a free one-time replacement policy. This option is also the best for 3D scanning that is offered to ensure a perfect fit. See our article about SmileDirectClub’s Lifetime Guarantee.
Byte Review – This is the best pick and the most affordable. With a lifetime guarantee included this clear aligner comes with a free teeth whitening kit and HyperBite too.
Candid Review – Similar to Invisalign aligners this product has very positive reviews and offers hybrid in-office care too.
ALIGNERCO – The lowest in price with a zero deposit on monthly payment plans. A seasonal discount for aligner packages at $945 makes it a great choice.
What is the Cost of Each Type of Brace?
The cost of braces is normally dependent on the level of severity and length of time of the overall treatment.
According to an article from Oral-B, Clear braces costs range anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 per treatment, whilst lingual braces, being more of a specialized treatment type, average between $8,000 to $10,000 per treatment.
Clear aligners are a much cheaper option for less severe malocclusions and they are the most affordable option whilst being as effective as other types of treatment. There are several clear aligner brands and most of them offer promotional rates too, so it is possible to get an aligner treatment course for under $1,000.
See our article: How Much Is Single Arch Orthodontic Treatment?
Which Clear Braces Work the Fastest?
Clear braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners all offer different but effective orthodontic treatments. Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, any one of these treatment options could be a viable option.
Clear braces usually take 18 to 24 months to properly address a patient’s teeth alignment needs. Lingual braces are slightly faster, with treatment times ranging from 12 months upwards. However, clear aligners are by far the quickest way to get straighter teeth in as little as 4 to 6 months even for patients with mid-level corrective needs.
This makes clear aligners the frontrunner when it comes to seeking fast and efficient orthodontic treatments that can restore mouth structures in just a few months.
See our article: Quickest Way to Straighten Teeth.
Types of Clear Braces – Which Option is Best For You?
Choosing the best option for the treatment of orthodontic issues depends on many factors.
The first thing to consider is what treatment type is the best for the level of severity of the issue. Both clear and lingual braces are a much better choice for more serious issues when considering treatment, whereas clear aligners are a good option for non-severe issues.
Clear braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners all offer aesthetically pleasing treatment versus traditional options but clear aligners offer additional benefits in that they are removable, and can be easier to manage in terms of cleaning and keeping them free of food particles.
If time is a consideration then clear aligners are also the best option as they require no orthodontic visits during treatment and you can start and complete treatment from your own home without the need for time-consuming appointments or additional costs.
With so many options to choose from when it comes to dental treatments, selecting the right one for your specific issue requires careful consideration. Make sure you take all factors into account before arriving at a decision that’s tailored just for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Braces are the Most Discreet?
Clear aligners use transparent, almost invisible, retainer-type appliances that are the clearest of all treatment types and have the added benefit of being fully removable at any time too.
